Poison: Deadly Deeds, Perilous Professions, and Murderous Medicines

by Sarah Albee

For centuries, people have been poisoning one another--changing personal lives and the course of empires alike.
From spurned spouses and rivals, to condemned prisoners like Socrates, to endangered emperors like Alexander the Great, to modern-day leaders like Joseph Stalin and Yasser Arafat, poison has played a starring role in the demise of countless individuals. And those are just the deliberate poisonings. Medical mishaps, greedy "snake oil" salesmen and food contaminants, poisonous Prohibition, and industrial toxins also impacted millions.
Part history, part chemistry, part whodunit, Poison: Deadly Deeds, Perilous Professions, and Murderous Medicines traces the role that poisons have played in history from antiquity to the present and shines a ghoulish light on the deadly intersection of human nature...and Mother Nature.

Genres: Nonfiction, Middle Grade, Science, History, Juvenile, Death, Historical

192 pages, Paperback

First published September 5, 2017

Reviews

[Laurie Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deliciously dark fun! Sarah Albee's POISON is the perfect mix of science, history, mystery, and entertainment, and readers of many different genres will be thoroughly engaged by this book. I know I was! From ancient times to today (and beyond!), Albee shows us how poisons--both natural and man-made--have affected humans lives and culture. The facts are shocking and fascinating, but broken down in a way that makes them accessible. There's also a ton of humor to balance the heavy subject matter, with puns and sarcasm galore, especially in the titles and captions. And all of it is tied together with a compelling design featuring sidebars, pullouts, photos, and illustrations. There are also some serious nonfiction features, including a table of contents, author's note, acknowledgements, notes, selected bibliography, research guide, index, and more. A highly recommended middle-grade nonfiction.

[Snazzy Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun to read!

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a page-turner! I was lucky enough to get to read an advance copy of POISON, and I couldn't put it down. I imagine that young readers will have the same experience--even if they grab this title just hoping to look up a quick fact about a historical poisoning, they'll find themselves sucked in quickly by the numerous compelling true stories and fascinating scientific facts about how poisons work.

This would be a wonderful book to read aloud as a family, too. I read parts aloud to my husband, and we both marveled at how much we learned from each "tox box" and "medical moment."

Highly recommended!

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better for browsing than reading cover to cover, but if you want to know anything about poison, this is the book for you. OK - the author won't tell you HOW to poison someone or anything like that, but other than that, everything you want to know is here. The entire book is in black, white, and noxious green, appropriate for content matter. There are lots of lots of photographs and charts as well as informational text boxes. Text will often refer you to information on other pages - which is why it's better for browsing. Glossary, timeline, index, and extensive resource guide, source notes, and sites for further research in the back.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poisons have been around as long as the earth has been. Unfortunately, human knowledge and use of such poisons has steadily grown in both good ways and bad ways. In this fascinating look at some of the best known poisons, the ways they have been used (for better or worse), and historical figures who may or may not have been poisoned, Albee has created a compelling account. Starting with a brief introduction to poisons, what they are and where they come from, Albee moves on to discussing their use and misuse starting with the Ancient Roman and Egyptian societies. Along the way she points out various famous individuals that may or may not have been poisoned. She shares the rumors that existed and what little is known about each individual and the possibilities for his/her death occurring by way of poison (purposefully or accidentally). Additionally, Tox Box features highlight specific poisons, their sources, how they poison, and the symptoms they cause. Some side boxes talked about jobs that involved people working with poisons (often unknowingly in many cases) and the often horrible results. The book continues through each century after the Ancient World, including the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, all the way up to the modern day. I found much of the book appalling, considering how often we human beings have poisoned ourselves unknowingly. What was even worse were the occasions when people knew what was happening and did nothing to stop it. The sad thing is that we are still poisoning ourselves all to often, whether it's through environmental pollution, or using materials without fully understanding their effects. And then of course there are the businesses that move factories to countries where restrictions on the use of such things are less regulated if at all. Albee has created a thoroughly intriguing, if rather sickening, book.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for professional publication.

[Lucy M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a pretty good book.

[Jordan J J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poison – Deadly Deeds, Perilous Professions, and Murderous Medicines
By Sarah Albee
2017
Ages 8-12
History, Science

Poison – A Laughing Matter?

This book is a scream! If you are one for historical zip-a-dee-doo-da with a healthy dose of puns, get this book. Anyone age eight and up will be able to grasp the humor and amazement in this title. That said, be warned, there is a whomping amount of historical data referenced and commented on throughout the chapters. I mean, it is about the history of poison…

I received this signed copy of Poison, by Sarah Albee at the New England Society of Children’s Books Authors and Illustrators (SCBWI) recent conference. She was gracious enough to donate this gift for the door prize raffle and I am so glad she did. I couldn’t be more delighted with a book I knew nothing about before opening. Sarah does the impossible and somehow manages to keep this history of personal poisonings fun and zany. To do it Ms. Albee stood by the interpersonal relationships of which history is fraught, rather than focus on dictators, or overtly cruel and insidious industries out to capture profit. (You can find plenty of other books in the marketplace for those discussions). This book is for the savvy middle school reader whose excitement lies in word play and imagination, not geopolitical machinations.

Poison – Killin’ It for Millenia

It’s odd to think about, but folks have been using poison to kill each other for thousands of years. According to research in Sarah’s book Poison, cyanide, or the ‘punishment of the peach’ was handed to more than a few unfortunate souls starting at least 4500BC. Arsenic, which the Egyptians used in the base to their cool green eye make-up, caused lasting damage, and death over time.
Alchemy took numerous lives and ruined countless others. Lead poisoning from smelting, coal mines and untested chemicals (paint, asbestos, etc.) caused all kinds of woe. You’ll flip at the in-depth research delivered with wit and zing. Did you know hemlock is also known as ‘poison parsley’? You do now!

There is not enough time in this review to comment on all the ways in which poison has caused people to die. But here are just a few fun ones: snake venom, henbane, opium, mandrake. There were so many ways to off someone the business of detecting poison developed at equal rates. Silver chopsticks were said to detect certain impurities, and animals and even human food testers were employed to protect rulers.

Dying to Stay Young

Ironically, loads of death occurred while people were hunting for the fountain of youth. Mercury shows up thousands of years ago, as a probable killer of Ch’in Shi Huang, (the guy who built the Great Wall). He sent his wisemen to all the corners of the realm to find the elixir of life, they settled on a combination of potables with mercury as a prime ingredient. That turned out to be not so potable and he died within four years of the ‘medicine’.

If you could survive all the premeditated poisonings, and the ones nature tossed at you, one still had to survive the lure of popularity. Muckety-mucks in Europe often had pools, or fountains of mercury which guests could mingle. In Egypt the bold green make-up used by pharaohs was loaded with lead and caused various skin deformities and illness. Moving into the 20th century we get an even more expansive look at drinkable poisons, and more so illicit powders. I know it sounds daunting, but the pace and witticisms herein will make it a treat to read or reference anytime. Who can forget Anthrax the most popular of the new fumes: sarin gas.

Conclusion:

This book is great for kids, trivia geeks, history nerds, book worms and everyone in between. Give it to your pal today.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poison might seem to be an odd topic for a book for young readers, but this one is so well-written, well-researched, and highly entertaining that teens and adults will be riveted by its pages. Not only does the author provide an interesting history of poison, keeping in mind that certain substances may help or harm, depending on how they are used and in what amount, but she does so with plenty of flair. The book's design is fetching too with a Tox Box that gives details about each poison, and a Drop-Dead Gorgeous feature describing the lengths that humans have gone to enhance their looks, often killing themselves slowly in the process. In the main part of the narrative, though, the author covers plenty of territory, including possible assassinations through poisons, early medical practices, and the slow pace that most countries took toward regulating the contents of medicines. Although I knew much of this already, I still learned some new and interesting facts about toxicology and even common beverages such as Coke and 7up whose contents have changed over the years. The book's jacket invites readers in this fashion--"Welcome to the sinister side of human history," and it certainly delivers on that promise. It's been a while since I've been so informed and entertained by a book. The author warns that anyone reading it in public is sure to get a lot of strange looks, and it's true, very true.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

From ancient times to current day people have been poisoned, both accidentally and intentionally. Some of these poisons occur naturally, other are mixtures, and now there are even manufactured and synthetic poisons. Albee chronicles the use and discovery of poisons through the ages, the famous poisoners, the infamous products containing hazardous materials, and the people who invented new uses as well as discovered ways to detect poisons. From Socrates to Cleopatra, the Medici family to Jonestown, the mad scientists, painters, factory workers, children and political enemies so many poisons, so many stories!

An easy read, this book goes into just enough detail and the format makes it a perfect informational text for the upper elementary or middle school reader, but the content and depth also made for a gripping read for the older reader and even adults. I was engrossed by every subject. Albee includes a “Tox Box” when certain poisons are introduced which include the name, source, how it’s delivered and the effects. No need to use the index in the back as you read - if she mentions something she’s already talked about, she cites the page and section title. A thorough book, includes source material, a resource guide, timeline, glossary, bibliography and index. I can’t wait to recommend this book.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating history of poisons and poisoning written with a darkly hilarious tone that couldn't be better for the middle-school reader! Albee manages to work in a LOT of history here while following the trail of what human kind has done to each other and to themselves, both purposefully and inadvertantly. Poisons like arsenic and hemlock from the ancient worlds are discussed but also work place toxins, environmental poisons, and the various awful things people used as make-up, medicines, remedies and elixirs.

Nefarious poisoners make appearances but Albee also follows the history of forensic science, food and drug regulations and work place safety laws. Interspersed in the text are informational inserts such as Tox Box, Poisoned Or Not and Drop-Dead Gorgeous along with other fascinating poison-related items.

Groan-worthy word play and a light tone make this perfect for middle school readers but there is a lot of great information and history provided along the way. Pretty grisly in places as befitting the subject. A Timeline, Glossary, Source Notes and extensive Bibliography round out this well-researched and written history.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a good review in Booklist so as I looked for a nonfiction book to buy for my 8 year old granddaughter's birthday I thought this would be fun. It might be a little too hard and too long for many 8 year olds but excellent elementary readers won't have a problem (it's really more of a middle school book) and I also have a 10 year old grandson who will probably pick it up as well. The chapters go somewhat chronologically, detailing poisons from ancient days until the present. There are numerous sidebars and boxes that give detail on various poisons and personalities. Illustrated with black and white photographs and drawings, it's a perfect book for kids who are interested in how people died (which seemed to be the first question when, as a school librarian, I would mention that an author was deceased!).

[Rabbit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book goes through the history of poison, from the Ancient world to Modern 21st Century. It has stories of poisoned people, poisonous jobs, and poisonous medicine. You will enjoy the interesting history stories, poisonous jobs, and medicines. There have been many poisonings throughout history, and it's a thrill to get to read about them. You also learn about poisons, like how they can poison someone, how long it takes for them to die, how much is needed to poison them, the symptoms of the poison, it's multiple names, and what product they were used in back then. I definitely recommend this book if you like history, juicy stories, and learning about the bad deeds people did.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a light-hearted, fun book about poison. Yes. Perfect for middle grade and older -- even adults who are intrigued by the topic, but don't want a 500 page textbook. This is quirky, pun-filled and engaging book, excellent for reading in bits and pieces. The layout features cartoons, photos, and sidebars. A "Tox Box" takes a look at one poison at a time. "Drop Dead Gorgeous" shows how people have -- since ancient times -- poisoned themselves in an effort to appear attractive. The author tells readers right off that it's not a how-to book, and she doesn't concentrate on the heavier topics of genocide or even pollution -- but everything else is fair game.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not love this one-I really like Sarah Albee, but the organization of this book made me crazy. There were too many boxes on the side with additional information that made it hard to stay focused. Most of the book was chronological, but it deviated in places since some of the poisons are still used today. Perhaps that was part of the trouble. I do look forward to reading other books by Albee.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is middle grade nonfiction at its finest. It is a well-researched historical look at everything one could ever wonder about poisons- with the perfect amount of details and "snippets" to keep readers entertained. It is a great fit for our unit about the human body that addresses how the medical field has changed over time.

[Annette Whipple · Rating 5 out of 5]

In true Sarah Albee style, she takes an interesting topic and makes it fascinating for the reader! As an adult, I couldn't put this down. I learned so much. It's not just about intentional poisons, but even poisons like nicotine and lead. The listed resources will delight those who want to know more.

I highly recommend this and would especially consider gifting it to a chemistry teacher!

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this. So much great history with a large dose of humor and fun facts that were not distracting like a lot of sidebars in kids' nonfiction. I'll admit, though, I was hoping for a little more "how-to", but the author made it clear in the beginning that she wouldn't tell us how to kill someone, but she certainly showed it with MANY examples throughout history. A fun, fun book!

[Lys · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I'm not a huge fan of prescriptive nonfiction, this was a really interesting book! I think the subject matter and the layout will appeal to middle grade readers. I'm not sure if they'll want to read it cover to cover, but I'm sure a lot of them will flip through it to pick up some interesting trivia about poison.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A history of poisons, deliberate and accidental and dancing in-between, from earliest times forward, told for the sheer voyeuristic fun, with special attention to poisons for beauty ("Drop Dead Gorgeous" boxes) and work ("Nice Work If You Can Survive it") and a few other specialties. It's in a large book with comfortable print and many illustrations, good for reading or for browsing.

[Michele Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although readers will not get any "how to" information (phew), they will gain copious info about poisons, the history of them, what they may have been used for, and plenty of poisonous blunders made throughout time! Fantastic nonfiction read for middle grade readers.

[Leonard Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Should be very effective for the right reader. Personally I would have liked more rigor, thoughtfulness in tone and selection, and perhaps more of a point. It felt a little grab-baggy to me despite the overarching topic.

[The Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Asher (11yo) read. "One of my favorite stories in this book was 'An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away and So Does a Good Lock!'. I didn't know that there were so many poisons and so many different ways to poison people!"

[Skyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read some of this last year but now i read all of it. Its a good book to read. And its a side of history that isn’t normally included in the curriculums at schools. Its a dark side of history, but it shows how people in the olden days would do anything to do anything.

[Crow Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book! As a non-fiction lover, and someone who was always intrigued with macabre subjects such as poison, forensics, and science, this was one of my favorite reads. It goes in-depth on the history of certain poisons' uses, as well as putting in some humor too.

[Bkrieth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating study of human and scientific history-Albee pairs deep research with enjoyable narrative. Excellent back matter. (Index and picture credits still to come in the ARC I read.)

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating. Sarah Albee is one of my favorites.

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read, but the graphic design seemed a bit busy to me.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My personal favorites were the "Drop-dead gorgeous" and "Nice work if you can survive it" sections. I'm shocked the human race hasn't wiped itself out yet.

[Quintina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating history of poisons, medicines and the medical profession through the ages.